The season 13 finalist announces on Facebook that he's suffering from tick fever.

Michael Becker/FOX

One of the biggest mysteries of the 2014 American Idol summer tour was the absence of country singer DexterRoberts.

Outside of an official statement from the tour in early July announcing that he was released from his contractual obligations, not much else has been said. Fellow Alabama Idols Jess Meuse and CJ Harris revealed a short time later that Roberts was ill.

On July 31, Roberts confirmed that he is, indeed, a very sick boy, and was recently diagnosed with Rocky Mountain Spotted Tick Fever.

The season 13 top ten alum took to his Facebook page to tell fans that his symptoms — which included fever, rash, headache, abdominal issues, shortness of breath and muscle pain — made it impossible to continue on the road.

He said he contracted the disease from a turkey hunt in Kentucky, which he attended not long after the May finale. "I found several ticks on me throughout the 4 day hunt, but that is nothing unusual for turkey hunting," he wrote. "Shortly after the American Idol tour started, I started having severe headaches, chest pains and muscle weakness on my left side, along with tremendous abdominal issues and shortness of breath. The medical facilities, while on tour, were unable to make a diagnosis."

After he returned home, he found himself back in a hospital emergency room, "where the doctor discovered a rash in my head from the tick bite." He said he has begun to take a course of medication and is hopeful for a full recovery.

Roberts had one request of fans: their prayers. "Please continue to pray for my full recovery," he wrote. "I know God is in control of my life, and his path will be made clear for my music career."